While the AirPods 3 remain daily delights for Apple users, the new AirPods 4 take sound, design and features to a new level – especially the ANC model.
For
- Balanced, clear and detailed sound
- Strong battery life
- Spatial audio is a bonus
Against
- Beaten for sonic transparency
- No noise-cancelling
- Fit won't be for everyone
The latest AirPods 4 cram in so many flagship features with effective sound-blocking and improved sound at this mid-range price – they’re a no-brainer for Apple fans
For
- Refined design
- ANC model offers noise-cancelling in an open-ear design
- Improved sound
Against
- Fit still won't be for everyone
- Standard model doesn't get some features inc ANC
With the release of the fourth-generation wireless Apple earbuds in 2024 – the AirPods 4 and the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation version – you may be wondering whether it’s worth springing for the latest pairs or sticking with your AirPods 3 for a little while longer and perhaps even waiting for the AirPods 5. Perhaps you are an AirPods 2 owner, even, and are wondering whether to pick up the discounted AirPods 3 or spend a little extra for the newest model.
It’s not an easy decision whichever category you fall into it, but we’re here to help. Our expert reviews team has tested both the AirPods 3 and AirPods 4 with ANC models, and compared them directly against one another in terms of their designs, comfort, feature sets and all-important sound performances. Our comparison breakdowns below should you help you decide which pair – if either – is best for you.
AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3: price
- AirPods 4 now the cheapest AirPods
- AirPods 4 with ANC slightly cheaper than the Pro 2
- AirPods 3 now discontinued; final pairs leaving shelves
The AirPods 3 launched in October 2021 at £169 / $179 / AU$279, but now that they are more than three years old and have been succeeded by the AirPods 4, the final pairs on the shelves are typically available at a discount. You can find today's best price just below.
Their price positions them around the middle of the wireless earbuds market, between the pricier, flagship Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the budget class-leaders, the Sony WF-C510 and Sony WF-C700N. In the Apple line-up, the AirPods 3 came in between the cheapest (also now discontinued) AirPods 2 (2019) and the flagship AirPods Pro / Pro 2.
The new AirPods 4, meanwhile, launched in September 2024 at £129 / $129 / AU$219 for the standard model, and £179 / $179 / AU$299 for the AirPods with ANC. These models replace the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 respectively in terms of price, and it's the AirPods 4 with ANC variant that offers the biggest upgrade over the AirPods 3.
For context, the AirPods 4 with ANC launched at the same price the AirPods 3 did, but, as you would hope, offer more features for this outlay. Those on a budget, however, can still get the latest Apple earbuds – just without ANC – for a more accessible price thanks to the standard AirPods 4 model.
**Winner: Apple AirPods 4**
AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3: design & comfort
- All open-ear designs; no eartips – won't suit all
- AirPods 4 have improved shape and fit
- AirPods 4 case has USB-C charging
The AirPods 3 took design inspiration from the AirPods Pro flagship range, featuring shorter stems and a smaller, lighter build than their predecessors, the AirPods 2 (2019). They lack the Pro 2's silicone ear tips, maintaining the 'open' design of previous standard AirPods. The natural unintrusiveness of the AirPods design will be welcome to those who don’t like their ears being stuffed with silicone, but, as we said in our AirPods 3 review, the fit isn’t for everyone: "Most people on our reviews team got on with it like a house on fire, some complained that after a while their inner-ear cartilage felt like it was on fire."
The AirPods 4 continue this open design philosophy, but with further refinements. In fact, Apple claims they are the most comfortable AirPods ever, having refined the earbud shape based on its extensive research on ear shapes. We agree with that sentiment: the AirPods 4 with ANC are "wonderfully light at 4.3g each, and we sometimes barely remember we are even wearing them," to quote our AirPods 4 with ANC review. While there are still no eartips to secure them fully, the tapered shape of the buds means that they nestle more securely in our ears than the AirPods 3 do.
Again, though, the general fit of this open-design nature can be divisive. It's worth trying them before buying if possible, as fit can significantly impact both comfort and sound quality.
Both models feature touch controls on the stems, but the AirPods 4 with ANC add the ability to change noise modes with a long press. The AirPods 4 models are also more weatherproof, with a hardier IP54 resistance rating compared with the AirPods 3’s IPX4 rating, making them more resistant to splashes and dust.
The AirPods 4's charging case is 10 per cent smaller than the AirPods 3's, as you can see in the image below, making it even more pocket-friendly. The AirPods 3 features the Apple-specific Lightning connection, while the AirPods 4 uses the more universal USB-C port. It’s worth noting that the standard AirPods 4 case does not support wireless charging, and that only the AirPods 4 with ANC's case has a built-in speaker for easier location tracking.
**Winner: Apple AirPods 4**
AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3: features
- All have spatial audio and Audio Sharing
- AirPods 4 have a new processor and improved call quality
- AirPods 4 with ANC has noise cancellation
This is where the big differences start coming into play, but let’s kick off with the similarities. Both the AirPods 3 and AirPods 4 offer seamless pairing with iOS devices, Audio Sharing, and auto-pause functionality. They also both support Spatial Audio for immersive 3D sound, with dynamic head-tracking technology anchoring the sound to your device as you move your head, for extra immersion.
However, the AirPods 4 (particularly the ANC model) earbuds serve up significant feature upgrades over the AirPods 3. They are powered by Apple’s latest H2 chip, for a start – the same one powering the AirPods Pro 2 – which brings a host of performance improvements and new features.
Both AirPods 4 models have Apple’s Voice Isolation feature, which uses AI-powered algorithms to reduce background noise such as wind on calls, for clearer call quality than the AirPods 3 can offer. They also both provide a Personalised Volume feature (again lacking from the AirPods 3), which learns to automatically adjust the media volume according to how loud your environment is.
Of course, the biggest difference between the two generations of AirPods is the inclusion of active noise cancellation (ANC) technology in the AirPods 4 with ANC model. They are Apple’s most affordable ANC earbuds to date, letting users block out some element of their surroundings so that they can lose themselves in their music. It effectively dims down low-frequency noises – the rumble of traffic, train engine noises, the hum of the aircon – and does so very impressively for an open earbud design with no tips. If you like the AirPods 3's design but would benefit from some noise blocking, the AirPods 4 with ANC are an easy recommendation. Without ANC, the standard AirPods 4 and AirPods 3 let in a considerable amount of noise that is difficult to cut out unless you whack the volume up (too) high.
Notably, the AirPods 4 with ANC also add several ANC-related features that are of course lacking in both the regular AirPods 4 and AirPods 3. One is Adaptive Audio, which dynamically adjusts noise cancellation based on your environment, providing a more tailored listening experience. Then there's Conversation Awareness mode, which lowers the music volume when you start speaking, making for more convenient interactions without the need to remove your earbuds. It works very well, although cashiers etc. might still find it a little rude. Your mileage may vary. Lastly, you get Transparency mode, which, contrary to noise cancellation, lets you enhance outside surrounding noise, making sure you don’t miss important things such as train announcements, gate changes, and oncoming traffic when crossing a road. In an open design such as the AirPods 4 with ANC, however, our test team found the Transparency to be a little redundant.
Overall, even the base AirPods 4 model offers more features than the AirPods 3, with the AirPods 4 with ANC variant clearly ahead of both pairs with its ANC benefits.
*Winner: AirPods 4 with ANC**
AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3: battery life
- All have similar total battery life
- Noise-cancelling takes a toll on AirPods 4 with ANC
Battery life is actually one area where the AirPods 4 don't show significant improvement; indeed, in one case, they even take a slight step back.
The AirPods 3 offer up to six hours of listening time on a single charge, with a total of 30 hours including the charging case. The AirPods 4 maintain that 30-hour total but with a caveat for the AirPods 4 with ANC model. Without ANC activated, they offer five hours of listening time, however with it enabled, this drops to just four hours on a single charge. The charging case compensates by offering more frequent top-ups, but this means the case's battery drains faster.
In practice, the AirPods 4's quick-charge feature (five minutes for an hour of listening) helps mitigate this issue, but heavy ANC users might find themselves charging the AirPods 4 more frequently compared with the AirPods 3.
**Winner: AirPods 3**
AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3: sound quality
- AirPods 4 offer notable across-the-board improvements
- All pairs beaten for class-leading transparency
The AirPods 4 bring notable improvements in sound quality over the AirPods 3. They feature a new custom low-distortion driver and high dynamic range amplifier, coupled with the H2 chip, resulting in a more detailed, powerful and entertaining performance. Indeed, our test team noted that "it’s difficult to go back to the AirPods 3 after you’ve heard the AirPods 4".
Our AirPods 4 with ANC review praised the latest model for offering richer weight and texture to voices and instruments compared with the AirPods 3, with bass notes sounding more substantial and impactful too. They also provide a bigger, more open presentation with greater space between voices and instruments, and dig out notably more detail and textural depth compared with the AirPods 3.
The AirPods 3, while still offering a clean, balanced and nimble sound, now feel somewhat recessed and flat in comparison. Voices lack the warmth, power and up-front nature of the new AirPods 4.
Dynamically, the AirPods 4 are more engaging as well, though our reviewers noted that they could benefit from even greater punch and subtlety. The ANC feature, when enabled, boosts bass notes but at a slight cost to detail, too, though this is a common trade-off with ANC technology and not unique to the AirPods 4.
It's worth noting that the AirPods 4 with ANC get pretty close to the sound quality of the five-star AirPods Pro 2, though the Pro do edge it. This narrowing of the gap in sound quality between the standard and Pro models is a significant achievement for Apple and offers great value for consumers who don't need the full Pro feature set. That said, the AirPods 4 with ANC do get a four(not five)-star rating, with room for improvement when it comes to dynamic subtlety, solidity and punch. The Sony WF-1000XM5 – not far off the price of the ANC model – are better all-round performers.
**Winner: AirPods 4 with ANC*
AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3: verdict
The AirPods 4 represent a significant step up from the AirPods 3. They offer improved sound quality, a more refined design and, in the case of the ANC model, features previously reserved for the Pro line, all at a similar or lower price point depending on the model.
In short, if you don’t already have a pair of wireless Apple in-ears, the AirPods 4 or AirPods 4 with ANC are the clear choice. But what if you own the AirPods 3 and are thinking about upgrading? If you aren't fussed about ANC and are happy with your AirPods 3, you will be pleased to hear that they still hold their own, especially in terms of battery life.
You could save yourself the cash and wait a year or so before upgrading – or, of course, check out our list of the best wireless earbuds if you want to look beyond Apple’s white pastures at the market class leaders.
MORE:
Read the full Apple AirPods 4 with ANC review
Check out the best AirPods you can buy
And the best AirPods alternatives
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